Current News

Acclaimed writer David Brooks to deliver Atkinson Lecture

On Feb. 17, 2011, Willamette University will host acclaimed writer David Brooks as part of its Atkinson Lecture Series. Doors close promptly when the lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the university’s Smith Auditorium.

Known as a moderately conservative political commentator, Brooks’ latest project is a book entitled, “The Social Animal, The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement.” In a similarly titled article in The New Yorker, Brooks discusses how advances in science have shed light upon the unconscious workings of the brain within a social context.

A book signing will follow the lecture. The Willamette Store will sell Brooks’ prior work and will offer a 20 percent discount on pre-orders for “The Social Animal.” Pre-orders are welcome prior to the event, and customers who pre-order will receive a commemorative bookplate signed by the author.

Brooks has written an opinion column in The New York Times since 2003 and is a weekly commentator on PBS NewsHour. He has written for numerous publications and has held editorial positions with The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, Newsweek and The Atlantic Monthly. Brooks has also contributed to many other publications and broadcasts, including The Washington Post and Forbes.

Brooks edited “Backward and Upward: The New Conservative Writing.” He wrote “Bobos In Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There” and “On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense.”

A limited number of tickets will be available to the public on Feb. 1. General admission seating is $25; non-refundable tickets can be purchased with cash or check at the information desk on the first floor of the Putnam University Center.

Students can pick up a free ticket with current Willamette student ID. Additional tickets are $10.